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Virginia, United States

Williamsburg

Colonial capital dressed in natural wreaths; 2 nights for the Historic Area and Christmas Town. Below: 4 sights, 2 activities and 1 place to eat, plus how Williamsburg fits into a longer trip.

Plan Williamsburg with friendsBrowse 9 places
Williamsburg, Virginia, United States
Places
9

4 See · 2 Do · 1 Eat · 1 Shop · 1 Stay

Curated routes
1

Williamsburg & Richmond

Best season
Late Nov – Dec

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

32°C / 90°F avg high

Coolest month
January

7°C / 45°F avg high

Wettest month
August

about 136 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Williamsburg

9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Williamsburg across Historic Area and College of William & Mary. 3 of them are free.

  • See

    Duke of Gloucester Street

    The Historic Area's main street, its doors hung with wreaths of fruit, pinecones, shells and dried flowers in December.

    Tip Walk it in the morning light, then again after dark when the windows are lit.

    • Historic Area
    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • Morning
  • Governor's Palace in WilliamsburgPhoto: David Broad · CC BY 3.0
    See

    Governor's Palace

    Reconstructed residence of Virginia's royal governors at the head of the Palace Green, with formal gardens and a maze.

    Tip Included in a Colonial Williamsburg admission ticket.

    • Historic Area
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Morning
  • Bruton Parish Church in WilliamsburgPhoto: Michael Kotrady · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    Bruton Parish Church

    Working Episcopal church from 1715 on Duke of Gloucester Street, known for its evening concerts and Christmas services.

    • Historic Area
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Evening
  • Wren Building in WilliamsburgPhoto: David Broad · CC BY 3.0
    See

    Wren Building

    The College of William & Mary's oldest building, begun in 1695, closing the west end of Duke of Gloucester Street.

    • College of William & Mary
    • Free
    • 30 min

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Williamsburg in Historic Area.

  • Do

    Grand Illumination

    Colonial Williamsburg's opening of the Christmas season, with candles in windows, music across the Historic Area and fireworks.

    Tip Arrive before dusk and stake out a spot near the Palace Green or the Capitol.

    • Historic Area
    • Free
    • 3 hr
    • Early December
  • Busch Gardens Christmas Town in WilliamsburgPhoto: Cjh1452000 · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Do

    Busch Gardens Christmas Town

    Busch Gardens Williamsburg's winter event, with millions of lights, holiday shows and Santa's workshop across the European-themed park.

    Tip Go on a weeknight and arrive at opening to see the lights come on.

    • $$$
    • 4 hr
    • After dark

Eat

1 place to eat in Historic Area, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • King's Arms Tavern in WilliamsburgPhoto: Ken Lund · CC BY-SA 2.0
    Eat

    King's Arms Tavern

    Colonial Williamsburg tavern serving game pie, peanut soup and other 18th-century Virginia dishes by candlelight.

    Tip Book dinner well ahead for December.

    • Historic Area
    • $$$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Dinner

Shop

1 shop in Merchants Square for browsing and souvenirs.

  • Merchants Square in WilliamsburgPhoto: David Broad · CC BY 3.0
    Shop

    Merchants Square

    Colonial Revival shopping street at the edge of the Historic Area, with shops, cafes and The Cheese Shop.

    Tip Pick up sandwiches at The Cheese Shop for a walk through the Historic Area.

    • Merchants Square
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Afternoon

Stay

Places to stay in Williamsburg in Historic Area.

  • Williamsburg Inn in WilliamsburgPhoto: SKM2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Stay

    Williamsburg Inn

    Colonial Williamsburg's 1937 Regency-style hotel, a short walk from Duke of Gloucester Street.

    • Historic Area
    • $$$$

How to fit Williamsburg into a trip

Williamsburg is stop 1 of 2 on our Williamsburg & Richmond route. Follow it as-is or lift Williamsburg into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Williamsburg month by month

Average daily highs run from 7°C / 45°F in January to 32°C / 90°F in July. August is the wettest month, with about 136 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Williamsburg weather and the best time to visit →

Near Williamsburg

8 other destinations from our guides within about 250 km (155 mi), measured in a straight line.

Williamsburg questions, answered

How many days do you need in Williamsburg?

Our route notes suggest 2 nights in Williamsburg. On our Williamsburg & Richmond route it is stop 1 of 2 in a 4-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 15 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Williamsburg best known for?

Colonial capital dressed in natural wreaths; 2 nights for the Historic Area and Christmas Town. Standouts on our list: Duke of Gloucester Street (The Historic Area's main street, its doors hung with wreaths of fruit, pinecones, shells and dried flowers in December); Governor's Palace (Reconstructed residence of Virginia's royal governors at the head of the Palace Green, with formal gardens and a maze); Bruton Parish Church (Working Episcopal church from 1715 on Duke of Gloucester Street, known for its evening concerts and Christmas services).

When is the best time to visit Williamsburg?

Our Williamsburg & Richmond route is best Late Nov – Dec. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (32°C / 90°F), the coolest in January (7°C / 45°F) and the most rain in August (about 136 mm).

What are the best things to do in Williamsburg?

Start with Grand Illumination, Duke of Gloucester Street, Governor's Palace, Bruton Parish Church and Wren Building. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 4 sights, 2 activities, 1 place to eat, 1 shop and 1 place to stay.

What is near Williamsburg?

The closest destinations in our guides are Richmond (about 71 km / 44 mi), Corolla (about 126 km / 78 mi) and Nags Head (about 175 km / 109 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Williamsburg with your crew

Open the Williamsburg & Richmond route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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